Tampa Hope, a homeless shelter operated by Catholic Charities, has opened the Matthew 25 Community Center just one year after breaking ground. The new center will serve as a central facility for clients, offering amenities such as showers, laundry facilities, restrooms, and a professional-grade kitchen.
Catholic Charities has collaborated with the City of Tampa for over three years to provide resources benefiting hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness. The organization currently maintains 91 tents and 100 cottages at its site. Since Tampa Hope launched in 2022, it has assisted more than 1,550 clients and helped place 563 people into housing after their stay. The community center spans 7,000 square feet and was made possible by a donation from Drew and Susan Peloubet.
“The opening of the Matthew 25 Community Center represents the very best of what our city can achieve when compassion meets action,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “This center is more than just a building—it’s a beacon of hope and dignity for those in need. I’m deeply grateful to Drew and Susan Peloubet for their generosity, and to Catholic Charities for their unwavering commitment to serving Tampa’s most vulnerable. Together, we are building a stronger, more caring community for all.”
The center is located on six acres owned by Catholic Charities east of Ybor City. It is intended to provide permanent facilities that support clients as they transition to stable housing. Its name references Matthew 25 from the Bible, highlighting the focus on compassionate service.
“The Matthew 25 Community Center is yet another step in our effort to continually provide the best care possible to our clients,” said Maggie Rogers, Executive Director of Catholic Charities. “We are grateful to Drew and Susan for their commitment to our mission to help the homeless of Tampa.”
Since December 2021, Tampa Hope has served adults aged 18 through over 60 years old; the average length of stay is about 90 days. In 2024 alone, the facility served nearly 480 clients. Services include daily meals, toiletries, clothing, medical care, life skills classes, financial management training, as well as substance abuse and mental health treatment.
